Explore our latest ‘Made with Programa’ feature as Mera Studio Architects discusses the Hillhurst Residence, detailing the workflow, challenges, and how Programa streamlined the design process.
Made with Programa
Mera Studio Architects, Hillhurst Residence
Calgary, Canada
What was the project? What was the brief?
Mera Studio Architects took on the challenge of transforming a wartime bungalow into a modern, cozy home for a small family in the Hillhurst House project. The goal was to rework the existing cluttered floor plan, creating a space that seamlessly connected indoor and outdoor areas. The family wanted a home that was comfortable, casual, and modern, with a strong connection to the surrounding greenspace.
“Programa’s specification and procurement tracking tools have been indispensable. With each project, we custom build all the finishes, lighting, furniture, and plumbing. The ability to communicate seamlessly with our internal team, builders, subcontractors, and clients has been a game changer.”
Meghan BannonDirector
Hillhurst Residence
What were the challenges? How did you overcome these?
The compact size of the bungalow posed a significant challenge in fitting all the necessary programmatic elements into the space. To address this, Mera Studio Architects designed clever dual-purpose spaces and incorporated unique details throughout the home. For instance, the shared kids’ room featured personalized nooks for each child, while the primary suite combined the shower and tub into a wet room, saving valuable space. Prioritizing the kitchen, living room, and reading nook, which were central to the family’s lifestyle, ensured that these areas received the attention they needed in the overall design.
Hillhurst Residence
Hillhurst Residence
“Clients have provided nothing but positive feedback on Programa. They love the ease of use, being able to see options, larger images, and direct links to product sites. Contractors particularly appreciate the on-site QR codes that keep them updated on changes and current selections.”
Tara MarshallDirector
What features does the practice use? How have they aided your scheduling & specification?
Mera Studio Architects heavily utilizes Programa’s specification and procurement tracking tools. These features enable the team to custom-build finishes, lighting, furniture, and plumbing, making each project unique. Programa aids in communication across the internal team, with builders, subcontractors, and clients. The ability to print out organized specifications and access additional details with a click of a button has proven invaluable. The studio has also integrated Programa with their accounting software, streamlining the tracking of shipments, payments, and scheduling.
“The quick layout and options feature in Programa makes it easy to show clients different design possibilities or to print out for internal review. It’s simplified our workflow tremendously.”
Tara MarshallDirector
Any feedback on Programa from your team and clients?
The feedback from both clients and the Mera Studio team has been overwhelmingly positive. Clients appreciate the ease of viewing options, accessing larger images, and directly linking to product sites. Contractors find the on-site QR code system particularly useful, as it keeps them updated on any changes or current selections. The Mera Studio team values having all project information centralized and easily accessible, which has enhanced the overall efficiency of their projects.
“The Client Dashboards and ability to share live updates have streamlined our communication with clients. It’s made the whole process more transparent and collaborative.”
Tara MarshallDirector
Reflect on the role of Programa in the project’s success and its influence on your design process.
Programa has played a crucial role in the success of the Hillhurst Residence project by integrating project management and tracking into a single platform. This has allowed Mera Studio Architects to slim down on software subscriptions and keep track of every component of a job, from ordering to installation, all in one place. The team appreciates Programa’s features like the Web Clipper, which simplifies linking products to actual websites, and sees further potential if time tracking and budget tracking are integrated into the platform in the future.